Multiple function electronic cards

ABSTRACT

Electronic cards include a package having vertical and horizontal dimensions of a standard credit card, and including first and second opposing faces. A flat panel display extends over the first face. A dynamic magnetic encoder is provided on the second face. A user input device also is provided on the package. A processor is provided in the package that is configured to display a substantially full size image of a credit card on the flat panel display, and to control the dynamic magnetic encoder to provide magnetic stripe information for the credit card, in response to user selection of the credit card via the user input device. Accordingly, the look (image) of a credit card can be emulated, as well as the magnetic stripe information that would be provided by the credit card, in response to user selection of the credit card.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to credit cards and related cards, such as debitcards, “club” cards and other personal membership type cards, and moreparticularly to electronic credit cards and other related electroniccards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Credit cards have become ubiquitous in consumer transactions. As is wellknown to those having skill in the art, a credit card employs a package,generally plastic, having standardized vertical and horizontaldimensions such as, for example, about 2⅛″ by about 3⅜″, and includingfirst and second opposing faces. One face generally includes a logo,credit card number, expiration date and/or other indicia. The secondface may include a signature block and a magnetic stripe.

Many individuals have a large number of credit cards that they carry intheir wallet or purse. Unfortunately, given the limited size of thewallet or purse, it may be impractical for individuals to carry all oftheir credit cards. To eliminate some of the bulk, many companies havecreated keychain versions of their credit cards. However, the user ofthese credit cards may then carry a plethora of keychain credit cards,especially “club” cards, on a keychain along with their keys, so thatthere still may be limits on an individual's capacity to carry creditcards.

Electronic credit cards also have been proposed in an attempt to replaceone or more conventional credit cards. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,825,353; 6,609,654; 6,732,919 and RE38,137, as well as U.S. PatentApplication Publications US 2003/0061157 and US 2004/0117514. Attemptshave been made to market electronic credit cards, as described, forexample, at the websites PrivaSys.com and chameleonnetwork.com. Finally,Xircom has marketed the REX line of micro Personal Digital Assistants(PDA), which provide a credit card-sized PDA.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Electronic cards according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention include a package having vertical and horizontal dimensions ofa standard credit card, and including first and second opposing faces. Aflat panel display extends over substantially the first face. In someembodiments, a dynamic magnetic encoder is provided on the second face.A user input device also is provided on the package. A processor isprovided in the package that is configured to display a substantiallyfull size image of a predetermined credit card on the flat paneldisplay, and, in some embodiments, to control the dynamic magneticencoder to provide magnetic stripe information for the predeterminedcredit card, in response to user selection of the predetermined creditcard via the user input device. Accordingly, these embodiments of theinvention can emulate the look (image) of a credit card, and, in someembodiments, can also emulate the magnetic stripe information that wouldbe provided by the credit card, in response to user selection of thecredit card. In still other embodiments of the present invention, asubstantially full size image of a predetermined credit card isdisplayed on a portable device, such as a PDA, that does not have thevertical and horizontal dimensions of a standard credit card. The fullsize credit card image may be used in electronic commerce applications.

Other embodiments of the present invention can also configure theprocessor to display a substantially full size image of a SocialSecurity card, a driver's license, an employee identification card, afrequent buyer card, a medical identification card, a membership cardand/or an insurance identification card, in response to user selectionvia the user input device. Some of these images may be displayed inconjunction with magnetic stripe information that is provided on thedynamic magnetic encoder. Other images may be provided withoutaccompanying magnetic stripe information. In other embodiments, theprocessor is configured to display an image of a coupon, a receipt, amap, a Web page, a financial statement and/or a personal photograph inresponse to user selection via the user input device. Moreover, in yetother embodiments, the processor may be further configured to execute asecurity, financial, Web browser, video, data processing, datasynchronization, computer personalization, electronic key, electroniccash (eCash) shopping and/or subscriber identification application, inresponse to user selection via the user input device.

Other embodiments of the present invention can add additional componentsto the electronic card. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader,an RFID transmitter, a short range wireless transceiver (such asBluetooth, ultra-wideband, 802.xx), a long range wireless transceiver(such as a cellular, radio and/or television transceiver), a bar codereader, a bar code display, a location system, an electrical contact,and/or a biometric reader may be added in and/or on the package. Aseparate Subscriber Interface Module (SIM) card or other portable memorycard (such as a micro hard drive or solid state memory) also may becoupled to, or housed in, the electronic card. A power source, such as abattery, fuel cell and/or photocell also may be provided. In someembodiments, a biometric reader is provided on the package and theprocessor is configured to display the substantially full face image ofa predetermined credit card on the flat panel display and to control thedynamic magnetic encoder to provide magnetic stripe information for thepredetermined credit card, in response to user selection of thepredetermined credit card via the user input device, and verification ofa user identity via the biometric reader.

Still other embodiments of the present invention may provide one or moreuser input devices, such as one or more soft keys that are incorporatedinto the flat panel display, a keypad, a full keyboard, a voicerecognition system, a biometric recognition system, and/or other userinput device. An electronic card according to some embodiments of thepresent invention may also be combined with a wallet that protects theelectronic card and may also provide functionality to interact with theelectronic card.

Other embodiments of the present invention can provide a second flatpanel display on the second face of the electronic card. In theseembodiments, the processor can also be configured to display an image ofa back face of the predetermined credit card on the second flat paneldisplay, in response to user selection of the predetermined credit cardvia the user input device. In these embodiments, a user signature, acredit card code and/or a credit card issuer telephone number for thepredetermined credit card may be displayed on the second flat paneldisplay in response to the user selection of the predetermined creditcard via the user input device.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, a radio frequencysystem is provided in the package, and the processor is furtherconfigured to interface with a credit card server using the radiofrequency system, to provision, deactivate, renew and/or upgrade thepredetermined credit card. In some embodiments, the processor is furtherconfigured to receive a file comprising the substantially full sizeimage of the predetermined credit card from the credit card server,wherein the file also includes an account and/or an authentication key.In other embodiments, two or more separate files may be received. Acredit card server that is configured to interface with electroniccredit cards according to the above embodiments also may be providedaccording to other embodiments of the present invention.

In still other embodiments, the processor is further configured toprevent use of at least one credit card, prevent predetermined displaycontent and/or prevent execution of at least one predeterminedapplication in the electronic card, in response to instructions from anissuer of the electronic card. A “walled garden” of credit cards, otherimages and/or applications thereby may be provided by the credit cardissuer. In still other embodiments, the processor is further configuredto control information exchange in response to user selection of thepredetermined credit card via the user input device. Accordingly, theselection of a predetermined credit card can cause the electronic cardto share the credit card or other credit card information with apurchasing system that is requesting credit card information, through aradio, magnetic and/or other interface.

Other embodiments of the present invention can provide an electroniccard that includes a flat panel display extending over substantially thefirst face, a dynamic magnetic encoder on the second face, a user inputdevice on the package, and a processor in the package that is configuredto control the flat panel display, the dynamic magnetic encoder and isresponsive to the user input device, to provide one or moreapplications. Images of cards or other images may be displayed as wasdescribed above, and the processor may be configured to provide theapplications described above. Moreover, additional devices as weredescribed above may also be included in the card.

Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products will be orbecome apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of thefollowing drawings and detailed description. It is intended that allsuch additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products beincluded within this description, be within the scope of the presentinvention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate first and second faces of an electronic cardaccording to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of an electronic card of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate first and second faces of an electronic cardaccording to other embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate first and second faces of an electronic cardaccording to still other embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate first faces of electronic cards according toyet other embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6-9 are block diagrams of electronic cards according to variousembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an electronic card according to various embodimentsof the present invention, coupled to a wallet according to variousembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an electronic card according to variousembodiments of the present invention that interfaces with at least oneelectronic card server according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a personal digital assistant including a full sizecredit card image according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrativeembodiments of the invention are shown. However, this invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupledor connected to the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlycoupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may beabbreviated by “/”.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another element. Thus, a first face discussed belowcould be termed a second face without departing from the teachings ofthe present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

The present invention is described in part below with reference to blockdiagrams of methods, systems, cards and computer program productsaccording to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that ablock of the block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams, may be implemented at least in part by computer programinstructions. These computer program-instructions may be provided to aprocessor in an electronic card, such that the instructions, whichexecute via the processor create means, modules, devices or methods forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a memory onthe card that can direct a processor of a card to function in aparticular manner, such that the instructions stored in the memoryproduce an article of manufacture including computer-readable programcode which implements the functions/acts specified in block diagramblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a processor of a card to cause a series of operational steps to beperformed by the card to produce a computer implemented process suchthat the instructions which execute on the processor provide steps forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagram block orblocks.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate first and second faces of an electronic card,and FIG. 1C is a block diagram of an electronic card, according tovarious embodiments of the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 1Aand 1B, an electronic card according to some embodiments of the presentinvention includes a package 100 having vertical and horizontaldimensions of a standard credit card, i.e., about 2⅛″ by about 3⅜″. Insome embodiments, the package 100 may be thicker than a standard plasticcredit card and, in some embodiments, may be up to about ¼″ or morethick. The package 100 includes first and second opposing faces shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively. A flat panel display 110 extends oversubstantially the first face. The flat panel display 100 that extendsover substantially the first face may also be referred to herein as afull face flat panel display 110. In some embodiments, the flat paneldisplay 110 may extend over the entire first face. However, in otherembodiments, a frame region 112 may surround the flat panel display. Insome embodiments, a full face flat panel display extends over at leastabout 50% of the first face.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the second face 100 b includes a dynamic magneticencoder 120 thereon. Dynamic magnetic encoders are well known to thosehaving skill in the art, and may be used to provide variable magneticstripe information that can emulate a conventional magnetic stripe of aconventional credit card. As also shown in FIG. 1B, a user input device130 is provided on the package 100. In FIG. 1B, the user input device130 is embodied by a pair of discrete up and down keys provided on thesecond face 100 b. In other embodiments, however, the user input device130 may include one or more soft keys that are displayed on the fullface flat panel display 110, a keypad and/or keyboard that is providedon the first and/or second faces, a voice recognition system and/orother conventional user input device(s).

In some embodiments of the present invention, the flat panel display 110is a first flat panel display 110, and a second flat panel display 160is provided on the second face 100 b. The second flat panel display 160may or may not be a full face flat panel display. The flat panel displaymay include one or more of the soft keys 130 therein.

As shown in FIG. 1C, a processor 150 also is provided in the package100. The processor may be embodied as a microprocessor, customprocessor, controller, Application Specification Integrated Circuit(ASIC) and/or other conventional general purpose and/or custommicroelectronic processor that includes onboard and/or external memory.In some embodiments of the invention, the processor 150 is configured todisplay a substantially full size image of a predetermined credit cardon the first full face flat panel display 110, to display an image of aback face of the predetermined credit card on the second flat paneldisplay 160, and to control the dynamic magnetic encoder 120 to providemagnetic stripe information for the predetermined credit card, inresponse to user selection of the predetermined credit card via the userinput device 130. In some embodiments, a substantially full size imageis at least about 50% of a full size image on a plastic credit card. Inother embodiments of the present invention, the processor is alsoconfigured to display an image of a back face of the predeterminedcredit card on the second flat panel display 160, in response to userselection of the predetermined credit card via the user input device130. It also will be understood that a power source (battery, fuel cell,photocell, etc.) also is provided in the package 100.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, an image of a VISAS card maybe displayed on the full face flat panel display 110, and VISA magneticstripe information may be provided by the dynamic magnetic encoder 120,in response to user selection at the user input device 130. Moreover, auser signature, a VISA card code and/or a VISA card issuer telephonenumber may be displayed on the second flat panel display 160 for theVISA card, in response to user selection at the user input device 130.In FIGS. 3A and 3B, an American Express® credit card image may bedisplayed on the full face flat panel display 110, while AmericanExpress magnetic stripe information may be provided by the dynamicmagnetic encoder 120, and an American Express back face image, includinga user signature, an American Express card code and/or an AmericanExpress card issuer telephone number may be displayed on the second flatpanel display 160. It will be understood that the front and/or backimages of the credit card need not conform identically to a conventionalplastic credit card, but should conform substantially enough such thatthe electronic consumer card 100 may be used in place of a conventionalcredit card for consumer transactions where a clerk and/or a machineviews the images of the credit card. It also will be understood that, inother embodiments, the back face 100 b may include a conventionalsignature line and the second flat panel display may display the creditcard code and/or issuer telephone number, or may be omitted.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1A-3B, the user input device 130 may beused to scroll through a plurality of credit card images (including, forexample, credit card, debit card and/or check cashing cards that areissued by the same credit card issuer), while the dynamic magneticencoder 120 provides the appropriate magnetic stripe information. Theelectronic card of FIGS. 1A-3B may thereby take the place of a largenumber of credit cards for manual credit card transactions (where aclerk or other individual obtains credit card information from the imageof the credit card) and for automated credit card transactions (wherethe image of the credit card and/or magnetic stripe information is usedto obtain credit card information by a card reader).

FIG. 4 illustrates other embodiments of the present invention. In theseembodiments, other substantially full size card images may be displayedon the full face flat panel display 110 on the first face 100 a of thepackage 112. These other substantially full size card images that aredisplayed can include a Social Security card, a driver's license, anemployee identification card, a frequent buyer card, a medicalidentification card, a membership card, an insurance identification cardand/or other conventional credit card-sized cards that may be carried ina wallet or purse. These cards may be scrolled through using the userinput device 130. The dynamic magnetic encoder 120 may be used withselected card images, but may not be used with other card images.

Moreover, FIG. 5 illustrates that other images that are notconventionally found on credit cards may also be displayed on the fullface flat panel display 110. For example, a store coupon, a receipt, amap, a Web page, a financial statement (such as an account balance),personal photographs and/or other images may be displayed. These imagesneed not be substantially full size, and the dynamic magnetic encodermay or may not be used in conjunction with these images.

It will be understood by those having skill in the art that, as thenumber of images that can be displayed on the flat panel displays 110and/or 160 increases, the user input device 130 may provide moresophisticated scrolling than simple sequential up-down scrolling. Thus,in some embodiments, a conventional menu and scroll bar may be displayedon the flat panel displays 110 and/or 160, to allow efficient accessingof credit cards and other card images. Hierarchical menus may beprovided, using groupings of related images, such as related credit,debit and check cashing cards. Alternatively, separate keys may beprovided for various groups of images. In other embodiments, varioustouch-screen areas may be provided on the flat panel displays 110 and/or160, to allow user access to the credit card images (FIGS. 2A-3B), theother card images (FIG. 4) and/or the other images (FIG. 5). Scrollingtechniques are conventionally used with personal computers, personaldigital assistants, smart phones, and other electronic devices, and neednot be described in further detail herein.

Embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 can also provide methods of using electroniccards according to various embodiments of the present invention. Theelectronic cards include a package 100 having vertical and horizontaldimensions of a standard credit card and including first and secondopposing faces, a flat panel display 110 extending over substantiallythe first face, a dynamic magnetic encoder 120 on the second face and auser input device 130 on the package. These methods include sequentiallyselecting a predetermined credit card via the user input device 130 anddisplaying a substantially full size image of a predetermined creditcard on the flat panel display 110, while simultaneously providingmagnetic stripe information for the predetermined credit card on thedynamic magnetic encoder 120, in response to the sequential selection.Other card images and other non-card images also may be displayed. Backof card images also may be displayed on the second flat panel display160.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of electronic cards according to otherembodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to thefull face flat panel display(s) 110/160, Dynamic Magnetic Encoder (DME)120, input device 130, processor 150 and power supply of FIG. 1C,additional components also may be provided in and/or on the card,including a short range wireless transmitter/receiver (transceiver) 610,such as a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and/or other short range radio transceiver, aRadio Frequency ID (RFID) receiver 620, an RFID transmitter 630, acellular transceiver 640 (including conventional cellular, PCS, widebandcellular, and/or other conventional cellular device), a bar code reader650, a location system 660, such as a GPS system, an electrical contact670, such an electrical contact that is used in conventional “smartcards” or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, and/or a biometricdevice 680, such as a fingerprint reader. The biometric device 680 mayonly allow access to a particular credit card, function and/orapplication, upon verification of a user identity via the biometricdevice 680. The design and operation of the individual devices 610-680are well known to those having skill in the art, and need not bedescribed further herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of other embodiments of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 7, the processor 150 interfaces with one or morevolatile and/or non-volatile memory devices 710 that may be separatefrom and/or integrated with the processor 150. An operating system 740,data 730 and one or more applications 720 are stored in the memorydevice(s) 710. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, theoperating system 740 may be any operating system suitable for use withthe processor 150. The application programs 720 are illustrative of theprograms that can implement the various features of the card 100 andgenerally include at least one application that supports operationsaccording to embodiments of the present invention. Finally, the data 730represents the static and dynamic data used by the application programs720, the operating system 740 and/or other software programs that mayreside in the memory device(s) 710.

Accordingly, the processor 150 may operate as a general purposeprocessor, and may execute one or more applications 720 on the card, ina standalone mode and/or interfacing with external devices. Theseapplications can include security, financial, Web browser, video, dataprocessing, data synchronization, computer personalization, electronickey, electronic cash (eCash) shopping, currency converter, moneymanagement, subscriber identification and/or other applications, inresponse to user selection via the user input device 130. Security,financial, Web browser, video, data processing, shopping and electronickey applications are well known to those having skill in the art andneed not be described further herein. As used herein, datasynchronization applications refer to synchronization of the data 730 onthe electronic card 100 with data on another computer, as isconventionally performed with laptop computers and PDA devices, and neednot be described further herein. Computer personalization refers totransporting of the look, feel and/or function of one's personalizedcomputer preferences across multiple host computers, includingappearance, settings, programs and user data, as described, for example,in U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2004/0095382 to Fisher et al.Finally, as used herein, subscriber identification relates to subscriberinformation that is stored, for example, in Subscriber IdentificationModules (SIM) that are conventionally used with GSM cellular telephonesand other devices.

Other electronic commerce applications may be provided on the electroniccard 100, as described for example in Ford et al., Secure ElectronicCommerce: Building the Infrastructure for Digital Signatures andEncryption, Prentice Hall, 1997 and Radu, Implementing Electronic CardPayment Systems (Artech House Computer Security Series), Artech HousePublishers, 2002, the disclosures of both of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth fullyherein. Content may be stored on the card using XML, XHTML, WAP (WML)and/or any other conventional mark-up languages. Applications may beintegrated on the card using NET applications, and may be provided tothe card using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) information feedstructures. Other conventional systems for providing content, storingcontent and/or integrating applications may be used.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of electronic consumer cards according tovarious embodiments of the present invention that employ various userinput devices in addition to, or instead of, the user input device 130.In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the processor 150 may interface withone or more soft keys 832 that may be provided on the flat paneldisplays 110/160, or separate therefrom, a keypad 834, such as aconventional telephone keypad, a keyboard 836, such as a full functionQwerty keyboard, and/or a voice recognition system 838. The design ofthese individual input devices are well known to those having skill inthe art, and need not be described further herein.

It will be understood by those having skill in the art that embodimentsof FIGS. 1-8 may be combined in various combinations andsubcombinations, with or without flat panel displays 110/160. Forexample, credit card imaging and dynamic magnetic encoding of FIGS.1A-3B may be combined with other card imaging of FIG. 4 and/or otherimages of FIG. 5. Moreover, the various other devices of FIG. 6 may becombined with any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-5. Applicationprocessing of FIG. 7 also may be combined with the devices of FIG. 6and/or any of the image displays of FIGS. 1A-5. Also, the various inputdevices of FIG. 8 may be used in any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-7.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the full face flat paneldisplay 110 need not display the substantially full size credit cardimage, but, rather, can display an icon or other smaller representationof a credit card. Thus, referring again to FIGS. 1A-1C, electronic cardsaccording to other embodiments of the present invention include thepackage 100 having vertical and horizontal dimensions of a standardcredit card, a full face flat panel display 110 extending oversubstantially the first face 100 a, a dynamic magnetic encoder 120 onthe second face, a user input device 130, and a processor 150 in thepackage, wherein the processor 150 is configured to control the flatpanel display 110, the dynamic magnetic encoder 120 and the user inputdevice 130. Electronic cards thereby may be provided that can substitutefor a plurality of conventional credit cards, but that need not displaythe full size image of the predetermined credit card on the flat paneldisplay 110 during use. Other non-credit card applications that use thefull face flat panel display 110 and the dynamic magnetic encoder 130thereby may be provided. A second flat panel display 160 also may beprovided in some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of other electronic cards according to variousembodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, theseembodiments include the package 100 having vertical and horizontaldimensions of a standard credit card and including opposing faces. Oneor more displays 910 are provided, which need not be full face flatpanel displays, but, rather, can be small area displays. The user inputdevice 130, a biometric device 680, an electrical connector 670, aprocessor 150 and a power source are provided, as was described above.Moreover, an RF subsystem 920 also is provided that includes a shortrange RF system 610, an RFID receiver 620, an RFID transmitter 630, acellular system 640 and/or a position (GPS) system 660. The processor150 controls these other elements. It has been found, according to someembodiments of the present invention, that the provision of a display910, a user input device 130, an RF system 920, an electrical contact670 and a biometric device 680 in the form factor of a credit card, andunder control of a processor 150, may be particularly useful for manydifferent applications.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of other embodiments of the presentinvention. In these embodiments, the electronic card 100 is removably orfixedly coupled to a wallet 1000. The wallet may be a conventionalleather or plastic wallet that includes a slot for holding theelectronic card 100, and may also include conventional slots for othercredit cards, money, photographs, etc. In other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 10, the wallet 1000 may also include one or more electroniccomponents, such as a keypad 1010, and a system for coupling theseelectronic components to the electronic card 100 using, for example, theRF system 920 and/or the electrical contact 670, on the electronic card100. The wallet 1000 may include a keyboard, an additional processor,memory devices including solid state, optical and/or magnetic memorydevices, an RF system, a keypad and/or other conventional input/outputdevices. These devices may provide additional functionality wheninteracting with the electronic card 100.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of electronic cards 100 according to variousembodiments of the present invention that are configured to interfacewith an electronic card server 1120 via a network 1110. The electroniccard 100 may interface with the electronic card server 1120 directly orvia the network 1110 using a wireless interface that is provided, forexample, by the radio frequency system 610, 640 and/or 920. Theelectronic card server 1120 may employ one or more enterprise,application, personal, pervasive and/or embedded computer systems thatare connected via a wireless and/or wired, private and/or publicnetwork, including the Internet. Multiple electronic card servers 1120may be provided. In some embodiments, each card issuer may provide aseparate electronic card server 1120. Moreover, the network 1110 mayinclude one or more wired and/or wireless, private and/or publicnetwork, including the Internet.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the electronic card server 1120 may beconfigured to interface with the processor 150, to provision,deactivate, renew and/or upgrade one or more of the credit cards.Moreover, in some embodiments, the server 1120 is configured to send,and the processor 150 is configured to receive, a file comprising thesubstantially full size image of the predetermined credit card server1120. The file also may include an account code and/or an authenticationkey.

Accordingly, embodiments of FIG. 11 can provide an option to renew orupgrade a credit limit of a credit card after it expires, rather than bymail. In other embodiments, however, cards may expire on their own basedon their expiration date, and expired cards may not be displayed on thedisplay(s) of the electronic card. Moreover, embodiments of FIG. 11 canallow the server 1120 to terminate one or all card images remotely, forexample upon notification that the electronic card 100 is stolen.Embodiments of FIG. 11 can also be used to download new card images. Insome embodiments, the image file may also include an account code and/oran authentication key. However, in other embodiments, the card imagefile can include a generic card image file, and separate files mayinclude the credit card number, expiration date, account code, anauthentication key and/or other images and/or data for a user's card.

In still other embodiments of FIG. 11, the server 1120 can instruct theprocessor to prevent use of at least one credit card, preventpredetermined display content and/or prevent execution of at least onepredetermined application in the electronic card 100, in response toinstructions from an issuer of the electronic card. Thus, a “walledgarden” of various complimentary credit cards, images, applications,etc., may be provided and controlled by the issuer of the electroniccard 100. Competitive credit cards, images and/or applications may beprohibited, whereas complimentary credit cards, images and/orapplications may be allowed in the “walled garden”.

In yet other embodiments of the present invention, a portable packagemay be configured to display a full size image of a credit card and/orother cards that were described above, wherein the package has verticaland horizontal dimensions that are larger than a standard credit card.For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a PDA may be configured to display onthe display thereof a full size image of a credit card or other card. Bydisplaying a full size image of a credit card or other card on a PDA,cell phone or other portable electronic device, additional electroniccommerce capabilities may be provided. Moreover, embodiments of FIG. 12may be combined with any or all of the embodiments that were describedabove.

Additional discussion of various embodiments of the present inventionnow will be provided. Electronic cards according to various embodimentsof the present invention can interface with credit card readers that arepresently used, so that an individual can carry only one card. Theelectronic nature of this card can allow the user to add, edit anddelete cards, as desired. Additional features of the electronic card mayinclude the ability to display the various card types, keep track ofpurchases, incorporate additional forms of security, location tracking,communicate with applications for downloading data and backup, andbusiness and consumer applications, such as budgeting, games, videos,music, information, coupons and/or email.

Various types of content may be stored in an electronic card accordingto various embodiments of the present invention. The content can includecredit cards, store cards, including frequent shopper cards that caninclude tallies of total savings, points and purchases, advertisementsand/or coupons that can be linked to a loyalty program, receipts,personal information management data, maps and/or Web pages, otherapplications, such as bank balance, health check, calorie counter,medical records and information, health information and/or militaryhistory. Graphical user interfaces can include a display, a touchscreen, a voice recognition system, a speaker, and a video player.Interfaces may be provided using a programmable magnetic stripe, RFID,bar code reader and display capability, radio (cellular, Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, ultra wideband, television) and/or electrical contacts.

Various security applications may be provided including biometrics,encryption of data on the card, pin codes, voice recognition, autolocking timeouts, and/or remote locking and deleting. Other capabilitiesmay be provided on the card, including location capabilities and theability to provide multiple profiles, such as an individual profile or agroup profile, so that the card may be used as an individual and as anemployee, for example. General purpose personal computer functionalityalso may be provided, as well as a browser, synchronization capabilitieswith a personal computer or personal digital assistant, and voice, data,image and/or video capabilities.

The dynamic magnetic encoder that may be present in some embodiments ofthe present invention can allow the card to be compatible with existingcard readers. Moreover, future card readers may include a radiofrequency interface for the card that is capable of loading informationon the card. This information can include receipts, current buyerpoints, savings, advertisements, coupons and/or store information (suchas location, hours, telephone numbers, email addresses, Web sites and/orstore applications).

Other embodiments can provide conventional Subscriber Information Module(SIM) card capabilities and/or other type of plug-inmemory/identity/security card capability. Thus, in some embodiments, theelectronic card may include a smaller SIM card removably housed therein.The SIM card may take the form of a card that is smaller than thevertical and horizontal dimensions of a standard credit card and may beplugged into or inserted into a slot or space in the electronic card.Thus, a smaller SIM card may be removably housed in an electronic card,according to some embodiments of the present invention. Other portablememory cards, such as micro hard drives and/or solid state memory, alsomay be housed in an electronic card.

Financial applications may also be provided, including bank accountdetails, such as balance and/or currency exchange applications.Antivirus software, personal photo displays and/or electronic keys alsomay be provided. A keyboard may be provided for entering data using aflip-down portion of the card and/or in a wallet. Moreover, the walletcan provide protection for the card, power, keyboard, radio connectivityand additional memory. The wallet may be covered in leather to providethe look and feel of a regular wallet, and can have the ability to storepaper/plastic cards and paper money.

Other embodiments of an electronic card can include a shopping agent inthe electronic card that can provide a search capability for the bestprice using an RFID reader in the electronic card that allows the userto query a product in a store automatically. Moreover, this applicationcan allow a search to be performed on items to be purchased to identifyelectronic coupons, by signaling to the coupon distributor (which couldbe the store merchant), that the holder of the card is in the store, sothat it may be desirable to issue an electronic coupon. Additionalsearching may be performed for product information, purchasing guides,and/or satisfaction surveys, such as may be found on the Web. Searchingmay also be performed for compatibility verification, for example, todetermine whether batteries are appropriate for the user's camera.Applications also may be provided to control purchasing, for example, sothat child-safe electronic cards are implemented which can preventpurchasing of certain articles by children.

Moreover, if an electronic card according to embodiments of the presentinvention is sponsored or provided to a user by a particular entity,such as a particular credit card issuer, applications on the card mayprovide a “walled garden” of cards, images and/or applications that aresponsored by the card issuer. Thus, for example, if a particular cardissuer issues the card, the card issuer may allow an image of the cardissuer's credit card to be displayed, and the card issuer's credit cardto be used, along with images of Social Security cards, driver's licenseand/or other non-competitive cards, but may prohibit competitive creditcards from being loaded on the electronic card. Thus, the serviceprovider that provides the card may control the applications, cardsand/or data that are used with the service provider's card. However, inother embodiments, an unrestricted number and/or type of card may beused in the electronic card.

Programmable skins also may be provided by the full face flat paneldisplay of an electronic card, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. Since a large part of the card is taken up by thedisplay, users can design their own displays or graphical userinterfaces when a credit card is not being displayed. Similar to ascreen saver on a personal computer, the style of the menu and thebackground or motif of the menu may be personalized by the user, so thatwhen the card is not in use, a user's personal design is displayed.Moreover, in other embodiments, different motifs may be provided on thecredit card, such as a flag, a picture, a sports team affiliation, etc.,as is commonly provided on plastic credit cards. A picture of the useralso may be provided in some embodiments.

Moreover, some embodiments of the present invention can define variousgroups to which the user of the card belongs. Multiple groups may bedefined along with governance rules for each group. These groups mayencompass, for example, a family and a work organization. Governance mayprovide the ability to have a group owner with access to editingcapabilities for the group, and group members with waterfalls of editingcapabilities.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodimentsof the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the followingclaims.

1. An electronic card comprising: a package having vertical andhorizontal dimensions of a standard credit card and including first andsecond opposing faces; a flat panel display extending over substantiallythe first face; a user input device on the package; and a processor inthe package that is configured to display a substantially full sizeimage of a predetermined credit card on the flat panel display, inresponse to user selection of the predetermined credit card via the userinput device.
 2. An electronic card according to claim 1 furthercomprising: a dynamic magnetic encoder on the second face; wherein theprocessor is further configured to control the dynamic magnetic encoderto provide magnetic stripe information for the predetermined card, inresponse to user selection of the predetermined card via the user inputdevice.
 3. An electronic card according to claim 1 wherein the processoris further configured to display a substantially full size image of aSocial Security card, a driver's license, an employee identificationcard, a frequent buyer card, a medical identification card and/or aninsurance identification card in response to user selection via the userinput device.
 4. An electronic card according to claim 1 wherein theprocessor is further configured to display an image of a coupon, areceipt, a map, a Web page, a financial statement and/or a personalphotograph, in response to user selection via the user input device. 5.An electronic card according to claim 1 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute a security, financial, Web browser, video, dataprocessing, synchronization, computer personalization, electronic key,shopping and/or subscriber identification application, in response touser selection via the user input device.
 6. An electronic cardaccording to claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency identification(RFID) reader, an RFID transmitter, a short range wireless transceiver,a cellular transceiver, a bar code display, a location system, anelectrical contact and/or a biometric reader in and/or on the package.7. An electronic card according to claim 1 further comprising abiometric reader on the package, and wherein the processor is configuredto display the substantially full size image of a predetermined creditcard on the flat panel display in response to user selection of thepredetermined credit card via the user input device, and verification ofa user identity via the biometric reader.
 8. An electronic cardaccording to claim 1 wherein the user input device comprises a soft keythat is incorporated into the flat panel display, a keypad on thepackage, a keyboard on the package and/or a voice recognition system. 9.An electronic card according to claim 1 in combination with a walletthat is configured to hold the electronic card and to interacttherewith.
 10. An electronic card according to claim 1 wherein the flatpanel display is a first flat panel display, the electronic card furthercomprising: a second flat panel display on the second face; theprocessor being further configured to display an image of a back face ofthe predetermined credit card on the second flat panel display, inresponse to user selection of the predetermined credit card via the userinput device.
 11. An electronic card according to claim 10 wherein theprocessor is configured to display a user signature, a credit card codeand/or a credit card issuer telephone number for the predeterminedcredit card, in response to user selection of the predetermined creditcard via the user input device.
 12. An electronic card according toclaim 1 further comprising: a radio frequency system in the package; theprocessor being further configured to interface with a credit cardserver using the radio frequency system, to provision, deactivate, renewand/or upgrade the predetermined credit card.
 13. An electronic cardaccording to claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured toreceive a file comprising the substantially full size image of thepredetermined credit card from the credit card server, the file alsoincluding an account code and/or an authentication key.
 14. Anelectronic card according to claim 12 in further combination with thecredit card server.
 15. An electronic card according to claim 1 whereinthe processor is further configured to prevent use of at least onecredit card, prevent predetermined display content and/or preventexecution of at least one predetermined application in the electroniccard, in response to instructions from an issuer of the electronic card.16. An electronic card according to claim 1 wherein the processor isfurther configured to control information exchange in response to userselection of the predetermined credit card via the user input device.17. An electronic card comprising: a package having vertical andhorizontal dimensions of a standard credit card and including first andsecond opposing faces; a flat panel display extending over substantiallythe first face; a dynamic magnetic encoder on the second face; a userinput device on the package; and a processor in the package that isconfigured to control the flat panel display and the dynamic magneticencoder and is responsive to the user input device.
 18. An electroniccard according to claim 17 wherein the processor is configured todisplay a representation of a predetermined credit card on the flatpanel display and to control the dynamic magnetic encoder to providemagnetic stripe information for the predetermined credit card, inresponse to user selection of the predetermined credit card via the userinput device.
 19. An electronic card according to claim 17 wherein theprocessor is further configured to display an image of a coupon, areceipt, a map, a Web page, a financial statement and/or a personalphotograph, in response to user selection via the user input device. 20.An electronic card according to claim 17 wherein the processor isfurther configured to execute a security, financial, Web browser, video,data processing, synchronization, computer personalization, electronickey, shopping and/or subscriber identification application, in responseto user selection via the user input device.
 21. An electronic cardaccording to claim 17 further comprising a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) reader, an RFID transmitter, a short rangewireless transceiver, a cellular transceiver, a bar code display, alocation system, an electrical contact and/or a biometric reader inand/or on the package.
 22. An electronic card according to claim 17further comprising a biometric reader on the package, and wherein theprocessor is configured to display the representation of a predeterminedcredit card on the flat panel display and to control the dynamicmagnetic encoder to provide magnetic stripe information for thepredetermined credit card, in response to user selection of thepredetermined credit card via the user input device, and verification ofa user identity via the biometric reader.
 23. An electronic cardaccording to claim 17 wherein the user input device comprises a soft keythat is incorporated into the flat panel display, a keypad on thepackage, a keyboard on the package and/or a voice recognition system.24. An electronic card according to claim 17 in combination with awallet that is configured to hold the electronic card and to interacttherewith.
 25. An electronic card according to claim 17 wherein the flatpanel display is a first flat panel display, the electronic card furthercomprising: a second flat panel display on the second face; theprocessor being further configured to display an image of a back face ofthe predetermined credit card on the second flat panel display, inresponse to user selection of the predetermined credit card via the userinput device.
 26. An electronic card according to claim 25 wherein theprocessor is configured to display a user signature, a credit card codeand/or a credit card issuer telephone number for the predeterminedcredit card, in response to user selection of the predetermined creditcard via the user input device.
 27. An electronic card according toclaim 17 further comprising: a radio frequency system in the package;the processor being further configured to interface with a credit cardserver using the radio frequency system, to provision, deactivate, renewand/or upgrade the predetermined credit card.
 28. An electronic cardaccording to claim 27 wherein the processor is further configured toreceive a file comprising the representation of the predetermined creditcard from the credit card server, the file also including an accountcode and/or an authentication key.
 29. An electronic card according toclaim 27 in further combination with the credit card server.
 30. Anelectronic card according to claim 17 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to prevent use of at least one credit card, preventpredetermined display content and/or prevent execution of at least onepredetermined application in the electronic card, in response toinstructions from an issuer of the electronic card.
 31. An electroniccard comprising: a package having vertical and horizontal dimensions ofa standard credit card and including opposing faces; a flat paneldisplay on one of the faces; a user input device on the package; a radiofrequency system in the package; a biometric input system on one of thefaces; and a processor in the package that is configured to control thedisplay, the radio frequency system and the biometric input system, andthat is responsive to the user input device.
 32. An electronic cardaccording to claim 31 wherein the processor is further configured toexecute a security, financial, Web browser, video, data processing,synchronization, computer personalization, electronic key, shoppingand/or subscriber identification application, in response to userselection via the user input device.
 33. An electronic card according toclaim 31 wherein the radio frequency system comprises a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) reader, an RFID transmitter, a short rangewireless transceiver, a cellular transceiver and/or a location system inand/or on the package.
 34. An electronic card according to claim 31 incombination with a wallet that is configured to hold the electronic cardand to interact therewith.
 35. An electronic card according to claim 31wherein the flat panel display is a first flat panel display, theelectronic card further comprising: a second flat panel display on theother of the faces; the processor being further configured to controlthe second flat panel display in response to the user input device. 36.An electronic card according to claim 31 wherein the processor isfurther configured to interface with a credit card server using theradio frequency system.
 37. An electronic card according to claim 36 infurther combination with the credit card server.
 38. An electronic cardaccording to claim 31 further comprising an electrical contact on one ofthe faces, wherein the processor is further configured to control theelectrical contact.